User blog:Wedgeback/One last song-a songfic

A short story of the Titanic Band's last song from the viewpoint of Theodore Brailey, aged 24, pianist and flutist on RMS Titanic.

Well, this is it I guess. It is 2:11 a.m. on this grand ship. The deck is sharpley tilted and water creeps up to the boat deck. Bandmaster Hartley has just said, "It's the end boys, we've done our duty, we can go now." We shake hands and start to depart. Then, Hartley begins to play on his violin, the sacred hymn '''Nearer My God To Thee by Sarah Flower Adams. '''We hesitate, and look back at him. The tune is Horbury, the tune used in Anglican churches, written by John B Dykes. John Wesley Woodward, the 1st cellist, and violinist John Hume race back to his side and begin to play. '''Nearer My God To Thee, Nearer To Thee! '''Now is the time to be brave, and not be afraid. I run back with my flute, and begin to play the beautiful hymn too. E'en though it be a cross, that raiseth me! Bass Violinist John Clarke, Violinist George Krins, and Cellist Roger Bricoux regroup with us and join in the hymn. Pianist Percy Taylor balances the upright piano and there we all stand and play together. '''Still All My Song Shall Be, Nearer My God to thee, Nearer My God To Thee, Nearer to thee! '''I weep as i play the old hymn, to be sent to heaven as a prayer for mercy from our God. Woodward starts to sing the hymn, '''Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone. '''Father Thomas Byles stands near us praying with 100 passengers, as he plays, John Clarke recites the rosary with him. '''Yet In My Dreams I'd be, Nearer My God to thee, Nearer My God To Thee, Nearer To Thee! '''I hear Byles whisper, "Hail Mary, full of Grace...", and tears flow down my face. 2:15 am, the bridge goes under water. '''There let the way appear, steps unto heaven, all that thou sendest me in mercy given! '''We aren't afraid of death now, soon we will be in heaven.